New 90 Day Dining Reservation-Bad for DVC Members

[tgropp]

I just was informed about the new 90 day dining reservation system and as a DVC member, I find this disturbing. When I book, I usually book at the 11 month window, so I know that I am going unless something major arises. I always purchase and enjoy the meal plan so at the 180 day window I would phone for my reservations. I would always get my reservations that I wanted since most people other than DVC'ers would not be planning so far ahead yet.
So Now, the way Disney is giving away the meal plan free to people, chances are that I may not get the places that I would like to eat at. I have a hard time thinking that I pay for my meal package and someone who is getting a free meal package beats me to the reservation system by 10 minutes or so and gets the better reservations. This is not a good way for Disney to treat the DVC members

 

[DebbieB]

I personally thought 180 days was too long. I don't know where I want to eat 6 months in advance. They are no longer releasing park hours 180 days ahead so it would be difficult to plan that far ahead (May has not been released yet). It's the same for everyone, I don't see how it penalizes DVC members. I frequently made reservations within 90 days and got what I wanted.

 

[marshmallow]

There is no way those meals are free. The money is collected somewhere else in the package. I would guess that a certain percentage of what DVC members pay for DDP is what Disney Travel pays to the Food and Beverages department for the "Free DDP"

 

[hrsmom]

I don't think it will be too big of an issue. I'm going in 3 weeks and just called yesterday to get a reservation and had no problem whatsoever.

 

[DonDiegoDeLaVega]

We are a party of 4 going to SSR Feb 1st for a week..and i made 5 different reservations for dining throughout the week(B/L/D)at various locations with no problems. MS was fantastic...even got a Hoop De Doo res. !!!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Okay...I have to admit, I am quite the planner like the OP. I call at the 180 day mark to make reservations. It's especially important if we go during spring break, because it is so crowded during that time. At first, when MS told me about the change, I thought...UUUUUHHHHHGGGG!

In all honesty, by the time I'm able to make reservations for our April trip, it will be 90 - 120 days out (depending on when the system is back up and running). I know a lot more now about our April vacation than I did a couple of months ago, as we've made a couple of tweaks to the dates because we're flying instead of driving. With that said, it's actually going to save both MS and me time, as I won't be calling to make changes.

Moving forward, I'll just mark 90 days out on my calendar and call. As long as I can get the reservations I want (within 30 minutes +/- of my requested time), I will be fine with the change. If I can't, than I'll send feedback to MS voicing concerns over the new policy, and I'm sure others will as well. I'm willing to give it a whirl, though!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I for one am pleased about the change. Everyone will be on even footing and I won't have to decide 6 months ahead of time what I want to eat!

Our past trip was the first time I ever booked at 180 days. Previously I've booked at even 30-60 days and had little trouble although perhaps I wasn't going for the "biggies". However, we do usually eat at the Castle most trips, although not the breakfast. I pretty much decided I wouldn't bother booking at 180 days again. The dining plan has made things so crazy IMO it's become a less pleasurable experience to put that much effort into eating.

 

[Muushka]

When is the free dining going on? I have not heard of any for 2009 yet.

 

[zulaya]

I think some previous free diners got a bounceback offer? I could be totally remembering wrong.

I have zero facts to back it up.

Slightly OT...but I want to say I heard someone say Free Dining would be offered in early December in 09.

Again...I have zero proof other than I thought I read it somewhere. However, I would be a little miffed because that's when I'm planning to go. And while I know Disney is a business and needs to do what it can to be in business, I'm being a little selfish in hoping the crowds will not jump sky high because free dining was offered.

 

[MagicalPins]

I'm sorry. I view my DVC membership as having a place to crash when at the parks for almost 50 years, nothing else. The 6 month reservation window was always insane. I don't think that DVC members should get any priority over regular guests.

Its great that you book at 11 months out. I just checked the WDW website and I can make reservations for December 30th, 2009. That is over a year away from now. DVC members can't book that far out. I do not see how this change affects DVC members any more or less than any other guest out there.

 

[keishashadow]

I think some previous free diners got a bounceback offer? I could be totally remembering wrong.

I have zero facts to back it up.

Slightly OT...but I want to say I heard someone say Free Dining would be offered in early December in 09.

Again...I have zero proof other than I thought I read it somewhere. However, I would be a little miffed because that's when I'm planning to go. And while I know Disney is a business and needs to do what it can to be in business, I'm being a little selfish in hoping the crowds will not jump sky high because free dining was offered.

one of the weeks we're considering to combine w/3 day DCL, if so hope it's announced soon would like to know what we'll be up against trying to get an ADR

 

[zulaya]

I don't mean to make this a free dining thread...so sorry for hijacking...but in response to keishashadow...we both may need to venture over to the Resorts Board and see if there are indeed any offers people have taken advantage of.

That being said, I don't think free dining was announced to the general public for Fall 2008 until spring sometime. But I may have my times wrong.

 

[dizzneebabe]

I don't mean to make this a free dining thread...so sorry for hijacking...but in response to keishashadow...we both may need to venture over to the Resorts Board and see if there are indeed any offers people have taken advantage of.

That being said, I don't think free dining was announced to the general public for Fall 2008 until spring sometime. But I may have my times wrong.

Just a quick cliff note...we were just there 12/5-12/13 and I swear I remember something about a Disney visa free dining promo running during that time. It was definitely more crowded than expected and all restaurants were booked solid for quite some time. I hope that is not being repeated! I will move over to the other boards to look around too.

 

[ccoymsrd]

I am also one of the few that enjoy planning WAY in advance so, yes, I already know where I want to eat during our Aug 09 trip. I don't necessarily think DVC members should be treated any differently regarding ADRs, but I can see how the old system could often work to our advantage as many of us do book 11 months out. (Although I have no idea when the non-DVC population typically books....)

Personally, I think it will be more difficult to get ADRs. I guess I'll see when my 90 days arrives (I already have it on my calendar to call at 4am ).

 

[MissMet]

I didn't mind the 180 days out. Now that it's 90 I agree that it will be harder to get the more popular restaurants & at the more convenient times.

Also, it won't help that Grand Gatherings get to still make all their adrs at the 180 day mark.

Well, see how it goes. I just hope free dinning doesn't happen during my visit, 'cause it's hard to get resis during free dining!

 

[Laurabearz]

It was 90 days forever, then they changed it to 180.. at first it was like woot woot, but really, Disney changes park hours, sometimes park hours were not even up when you had to make ADR's.

I am happy it's back to 90 days

 

[tjkraz]

It was 90 days forever, then they changed it to 180.. at first it was like woot woot, but really, Disney changes park hours, sometimes park hours were not even up when you had to make ADR's.

I am happy it's back to 90 days

Ditto.

While I do like to plan, it's much easier to plan with greater certainty 3 months out rather than 6 months. Yes, you could probably argue that more people (both DVC members and non-members) will be calling 90 days out than 180, but as long as you call as soon as you are able I don't think the results will be much different.

 

[Inkmahm]

I didn't mind the 180 days out. Now that it's 90 I agree that it will be harder to get the more popular restaurants & at the more convenient times.

Also, it won't help that Grand Gatherings get to still make all their adrs at the 180 day mark.

Well, see how it goes. I just hope free dinning doesn't happen during my visit, 'cause it's hard to get resis during free dining!

If the system is set up to take reservations only at 90 days, how will grand gatherings get to make their reservations at 180?

I believe Disneyland ADRs can't be made until 60 or 90 days in advance. I guess if it works there it will probably work at WDW, too.

 

[disneynutz]

Just a quick cliff note...we were just there 12/5-12/13 and I swear I remember something about a Disney visa free dining promo running during that time. It was definitely more crowded than expected and all restaurants were booked solid for quite some time. I hope that is not being repeated! I will move over to the other boards to look around too.

The "free" dining deal is used to fill cash rooms at a premium price when resort occupancy is off. September hurricane season is one of those times. December this year also was projected to be slow so they extended the offer.

Next year I expect to see all kinds of deals.

 

[Chuck S]

I remember when you could make some dining reservations as soon as your room reservation was confirmed, no 180 or 90 day window.

However, I really think it will have very little overall impact on most DVCers as long as everyone, DVC and non-DVC has the same opportunity, I'm good to go, whatever the window.

I also understand allowing Grand Gatherings to book earlier, as they are larger parties and would need several tables.